The Effects of Thai Herbal Ha-Rak Formula on COX Isoform Expression in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by IL-1 β

Objective. To investigate the modulated effects of HRF on cyclooxygenase isoform expression and its activity, using the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model induced by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Methods. Cells were treated with indomethacin (positive control), HRF, and its components at various concentrations prior to treatment with IL-1β at 24 h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effects of HRF and its components through mRNA and protein expression were established using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. COX activity was identified via exogenous and endogenous PGE2 productions using the EIA. Result. There was no cytotoxicity in HUVECs treated with HRF. None of the experimental conditions used in the study affected the expression of COX-1, but COX-2 protein expression was inhibited at concentrations under 10 µg/mL. Despite the significantly increased levels of exogenous PGE2, HRF had no effect on COX-2 mRNA expression. However, the production of PGE2 was lower at a concentration of 100 µg/mL HRF than at a concentration below 10 µg/mL. Interestingly, each component of HRF revealed different effects of the Ha-Rak formula. Conclusion. Our preliminary findings suggest that HRF and its components provide diverse modulation of COX-2 and PGE2 at the in vitro level

Study the Effect of an Antipyretic Drug, Thai Herbal Ha-Rak Formula on Platelet Aggregation in Healthy Thai Volunteers: A Randomized, Placebo - Controlled Trial

Background: Fever may alter platelet homeostasis leading to bleeding tendency. Thai herbal Ha-rak formula (HRF), a traditional Thai remedy consisting of five medicinal plants, is indicated for relieving fever. However, its effect on platelet has not been evaluated. This study aims to investigate the effect of HRF on platelet aggregation. Methods: A randomized, placebo, controlled trial was carried out in 46-healthy Thai volunteers, both male and female. The subjects either received the maximum recommended dose per day of HRF (1,500 mg) or placebo. Platelet aggregation, using aggregometer (AggRam), was assessed in platelet rich plasma (PRP) in response to each of three different agonists including epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen at pre-dose and 8, 32 hours and 7-10 days after the first dose. Results: All participants completed the study. Only few adverse events occurred which spontaneously improved without further treatment. Overall, analysis of platelet activity compared before and after HRF administration did not show significant difference of maximum percentage of platelet aggregation at any time point except the platelet response to collagen at 32 hours and 1 week after the first HRF dose. However, subgroup analysis characterized by sex, and platelet aggregation in response to all agonists did not reveal any significant change. The same results applied to subgroup analysis based on the different patterns of platelet aggregation. Conclusion: HRF at a dose of 1,500 mg/day is well tolerated and has a significant effect on platelet aggregation only when induced by collagen

Strategies to protect the kidney against renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rodents

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Redox Mechanisms of AVS022, an Oriental Polyherbal Formula, and Its Component Herbs in Protection against Induction of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in UVA-Irradiated Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells

Ayurved Siriraj HaRak (AVS022) formula has been used for topical remedy of dermatologic disorders. Oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet (UV) A irradiation could be implicated in photoaged skin through triggering matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). We, therefore, explored the antioxidant mechanisms by which AVS022 formulation and its individual components protected against UVA-dependent MMP-1 upregulation in keratinocyte HaCaT cells. TLC analysis revealed the presence of multiple phenolics including gallic acid (GA) in the AVS022 extracts. We demonstrated that pretreatment with the whole formula and individual herbal components except T. triandra protected against increased MMP-1 activity in irradiated HaCaT cells. Moreover, all herbal extracts and GA, used as the reference compound, were able to reverse cytotoxicity, oxidant production, glutathione (GSH) loss, and inactivation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). F. racemosa was observed to yield the strongest abilities to abolish UVA-mediated induction of MMP-1 and impairment of antioxidant defenses including GSH and catalase. Our observations suggest that upregulation of endogenous antioxidants could be the mechanisms by which AVS022 and its herbal components suppressed UVA-stimulated MMP-1 in HaCaT cells. In addition, pharmacological actions of AVS022 formula may be attributed to the antioxidant potential of its components, in particular F. racemosa, and several phenolics including GA

The Effect of Thai Herbal Ha-Rak Formula (HRF) on LPS-Induced Systemic Inflammation in Wistar Rats

Objective: To study effects of Thai herbal Ha-rak formula (HRF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (190-250 g) were orally treated with HRF for 14 days before they were induced with LPS (6 mg/kg, i.v.). The markers of organ injury/dysfunction and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured at 6 hours after LPS administration. Results: LPS administration can significantly increase all markers. Intragastric administration of 5 mg/kg indomethacin, the positive control, significantly reduced plasma urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatinine kinase (CK), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. HRF trends to attenuate the plasma AST, ALT, CK, TNF-a, and IL-1β, although these effects were not statistically significant. Moreover, all doses of HRF did not increase plasma urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, CK, and lipase, when compared to sham. Conclusion: HRF trends to protect against endotoxemia-induced organ injuries and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, rats that received HRF did not show organ injuries

The safety of Homnawakod herbal formula containing <it>Aristolochia tagala</it> Cham. in Wistar rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A dried root of <it>Aristolochia tagala</it> Cham. (ATC) is often used in Thai traditional medicine as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory agent, muscle relaxant, appetite-enhancing agent, and analeptic. Homnawakod, an important herbal recipe, originally contains ATC in its formula, however, some <it>Aristolochia</it> species have been reported to cause nephrotoxicity due to aristolochic acid (AA) and its derivatives, resulting in ATC removal from all formulae. Therefore, this study investigates the chemical profiles of ATC, the original (HNK+ATC) and the present Homnawakod Ayurved Siriraj Herbal Formulary™ (HNK), and investigates whether they could cause nephrotoxicity or aggravate LPS-induced organ injuries <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HPLC and LC/MS were used for chemical profile study. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups in which the rats were intragastrically administered distilled water (2 groups), ATC (10 or 30 mg/kg), HNK+ATC (540 or 1,620 mg/kg), or HNK (1,590 mg/kg) for 21 days. A positive control group was administered with single dose 100 mg/kg standard AA-I intragastrically at day 1. Serum creatinine and urea were measured at baseline and at 7, 14 and 21 days of the treatment. On day 22, a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia was used. One-way and two-way analyses of variance were performed and a <it>P</it> value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The similarity of the HPLC chromatograms of HNK+ATC and HNK could suggest that the qualities of both formulae are nearly the same in terms of chemical profile. The amount of AA-I found in ATC is 0.24%w/w. All experimental groups exhibited similar levels of serum urea at baseline and 7 and 14 days of the treatment. At 21 days, rats received AA exhibited a significant increase in serum urea, whereas the others did not exhibit such toxicity. On day 22, there were no significant changes in LPS-induced renal and liver dysfunction, or LPS-induced mean arterial pressure (MAP) reduction upon administration of ATC, HNK+ATC, HNK or AA-I.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that ATC, HNK+ATC or HNK, at the animal dose equivalent to that used in human, do not cause the acute nephrotoxicity in rats and do not aggravate LPS-induced organ injuries even further.</p